With a wide range of free events taking place year-around, there’s always something to celebrate in Santa Cruz County every weekend. See what’s happening in Santa Cruz County and check out events here!
Around the World in 60-90 Minutes! The first Saturday of each month, the Arboretum offers a docent or staff-led tour of the Arboretum. Sometimes you will see New Zealand, South […]
Santa has lost his reindeer, but you can help find them! Pick up a map at the Downtown Santa Cruz Information Kiosk, located at 1130 Pacific Avenue K2, the corner […]
This is a walk-in Christmas display located in the midtown of Santa Cruz, CA. Their exhibit is very traditional: lots of Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, miniature village’s, […]
Following a sold out run in 2024, A Christmas Carol returns as a holiday tradition for the whole family! Audiences can expect a theatrical and music-filled adaptation of this classic […]
Dine, shop and explore the Seabright neighborhood while it has restricted car access and enjoy the walkability and views! You could win a souvenir with only one stamp! How to […]
Travel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and […]
The Downtown Santa Cruz Market runs year-round on Wednesdays, 1-5pm year round. Our largest and oldest market, it is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off […]
Trivia every Wednesday! Hosted at Front and Cooper inside of Abbott Square Market Go test your knowledge, win some prizes and have some hand crafted cocktails! Brought to you by […]
Whim & Wonder invites you into a world where the extraordinary hides in plain sight. This exhibition celebrates the playful elegance and curious brilliance found in the overlooked, the reimagined, […]
This exhibition will feature master shaper, Bob Pearson's precisely fashioned replicas of redwood o'lo boards first created by the princes in 1885 and ridden at the mouth of the San […]
The Felton Farmers’ Market is a treasured weekly gathering May through October, now running for over 30 years. We appreciate the dedicated customers who call this market a second home. […]
Far West Fungi’s Santa Cruz Store & Café is launching Myco-Mixers - Enjoy an afternoon of food, fun, and fungi! Each Myco-Mixer will feature complimentary bites, product samples, and happy […]
Make your holidays extra special with our DIY Christmas ornaments! Decorate 4 frosted glass holiday-shaped ornaments with gold & silver decorations. Take them home with you that day! Finished ornaments […]
The Watsonville Farmers Market is every Friday afternoon from 2-7 all year round at the City Plaza in Downtown Watsonville. Don't miss out on the wonderful locally grown fresh fruits, […]
Enjoy the La Bahia Hotel & Spa's London inspired champagne bar, Pearl, for an evening of live music. Let the handcrafted cocktails and the glow of the season elevate your […]
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project will again present HOLIDAY LIGHTS 2025 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Starting November 28, 2025 – Holiday Lights […]
SV Parks & Recreation will be hosting their 3rd annual "Holiday Craft & Cocoa Event", enjoy a fun-filled holiday evening for families & kids of all ages! Enjoy crafts, cocoa, […]
Kianti’s is bringing “The Nightmare Before Christmas” back to life. This holiday performance features Jack Skellington, pizza spinners, dancing staff and a flame-raising kitchen. Shows every Friday & Saturday night […]
This holiday, immerse yourself in the joy of the season with the annual Mount Hermon Christmas Concerts, buffet dinner (or Sunday lunch), and Christmas Craft Boutique. Friday and Saturday concert […]
Market customers appreciate the bountiful selection of top quality produce and specialty foods as well as the opportunity to connect with the farmers and vendors who produce it. Ninety vendors, […]
Go meet and get your picture taken with Santa and his friends at the Chaminade as you enjoy a festive brunch and beautiful views of the Monterey Bay.
9:00am Breakfast starts | 9:45AM Program Begins Enjoy full ocean views, breakfast buffet, full bar (for the parents, not the elves) cookie decorating, arts & crafts, face painting, story time, […]
The Westside Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday, year round at the corner of Hwy 1 and Western Drive. Here we serve the communities of the west end of Santa […]
Get ready for a festive extravaganza at the Holiday Market Winter Wonderland! Building on the success of last year's Splash with Santa event by the pool, Parks and Rec will […]
Get ready to hike around an ancient seafloor! On this 1.5 mile hike through the Sandhills, which will last approximately 2 hours, participants can meander through sandy soils on the […]
Celebrate the season with a cozy, family-friendly baking workshop set right on the farm where many ingredients are grown. You’ll explore the magic of holiday baking, from classic flavors to […]
Get into the holiday spirit and explore Santa Cruz’s creative heart at the Annual Winter Art Market, presented by the Arts Council Santa Cruz County. Enjoy live music, tasty food, […]
Get in the holiday spirit by bringing the family to ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain. Sip hot cider while greeting Santa Claus. […]
This 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into Younger Lagoon Reserve adjacent to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Part of the University of California Natural Reserve System, Younger Lagoon Reserve contains diverse […]
Explore the magic and resilience of the season at the very first State Park ever created in California! Long-time docents, Karen and Eva will guide you along the easy, level, […]
On this 2.5-mile, 2-hour family-friendly walk, you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the Santa Cruz County coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and […]
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Event is free, day-use parking fee is $10.
Bring your friends, family and neighbors and come out to enjoy good old-fashioned activities such as spinning wool, cheese making, wooden cow milking and ice cream making! You can even […]
This year, families can enjoy the holiday classic ELF, featuring Will Ferrell, with two options to view from 11am to 1pm on either Saturday or Sunday. Elf will be streamed […]
Davenport goes beyond a beautiful place to get away from it all. Just minutes north on the Pacific Coast Highway, Davenport has stunning sweeping ocean and cliff views, the first […]
This will be a family friendly event showcasing some of the best artists, makers, food and drinks Santa Cruz has to offer 🙌❤️ Over 30 vendors Local Artists Custom Jewelry […]
Get in the holiday spirit – celebrate the season at the beach! Enjoy a festive stroll through dazzling holiday lights and decorations at no cost. If you’d like to hop […]
Enjoy the Steve Abrams Jazz Trio as you merry at the Holiday Wine and Charcuterie celebration. Go get your first pour and plate at the crush pad, then find a […]
A seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of […]
A gorgeous evening of choral music by the stunning voices of Cantíamo!
Santa Cruz Symphony's Holiday Pops Concert offers festive favorites including holiday music by Leroy Anderson, the lighthearted and nostalgic Symph-Hanukkah, selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and singalong tunes in a […]
Head to the Grove at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to enjoy a holiday brunch! The adults can purchase their own adult beverages. There will be cookie decorating as the […]
The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the 2nd Sunday of every month from 9am-5pm, weather permitting. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles […]
The annual tradition of the Felton Holiday Market will again take place on the historic covered bridge. ACTIVITIES: Arts & crafts Delicious food & beverages Music Holiday lights And other […]
Enjoy a relaxed and fun-filled Chanukah craft event! This free event offers a variety of easy and enjoyable crafts including making Chanukah cards and dreidel painting. Open to all ages!
Head to Venus Spirits to experience a pop-up Makers Market! There will be ceramics, stained glass, candles, mixed media art and more! Stop for a handcrafted cocktail or maybe some […]
Something magical is coming to downtown Watsonville! Enjoy Noche de Brillo (Night of Sparkle), a FREE family-friendly evening filled with snow, lights, and holiday cheer. Event Highlights: Snow play area […]
Learn about fascinating fungi and the basics of mushroom identification; just looking, not eating! Open to ages 8 and up. An adult must accompany ages 17 & under.
Come hang out in the secret garden and have some laughs, EVERY MONDAY NIGHT. Featuring comedians from all over the area and beyond.
Spice up your Tuesdays! Enjoy a sizzling social dance party every Tuesday night! Move to the rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. It’s free, […]
Get whisked away into the whimsical world of Toy Trains and enjoy this beloved annual pop-up exhibit at the MAH. Members of the Golden State Toy Train Operators will be […]
The Bridge is an authentic, original, child pleasing tale. Inspired by a wolf, Nordic Legend and the architecture of connection, The Bridge is a freshly conjured visual feast sprinkled with […]
Tis the season for an evening of joy and holiday cheer inside the historic Grove Ballroom! • Holiday Pajamas are encouraged! • Each attendee also receives a fun holiday headband! […]
Enjoy free admission to all current exhibitions at the Museum of Art and History. Enjoy the Toy Trains display in the Atrium all day! Participate in a winter themed art […]
Get swept away by the beauty of Clara and friends as you travel to the magical Land of Sweets for this imaginative holiday classic and wonderful family tradition, now in […]
Experience Santa Cruz's spectacular holiday tradition with Santa Cruz Dance Theater's production of The Nutcracker, taking place at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. This year, welcome Lucien Postlewaite, principal dancer […]
Come enjoy holiday decorations, Wharf specials and see Santa arrive on the Wharf by a vintage fire engine!🎅 📸Take photos with Santa! ☃️ Checkout Wharf Business Specials! ❄️Play in the […]
Celebrate the holidays with the glorious sound of dozens of tubas playing Christmas and Hanukah music at this festive FREE concert! Santa will pay a visit, and the audience is […]
Felton Music Hall Presents the high energy, soulful music of Snail, from right here in Santa Cruz. You may remember their signature song, "The Joker" from their albums in the […]
This year, the concert opens with overflowing joy, with Sweelink’s “Christus natus est”—beloved in Europe as an opening for Christmas programs. The exuberance continues with the first performance in Santa […]
Enjoy the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market every THIRD Sunday in 2025! Featuring 40+ local makers & artists, this market hosts a wide range of locally handmade goods. Find some […]
The 9th Annual Reindeer Run in Boulder Creek will be on Christmas eve! Go work off that plum pudding and promote togetherness, silliness, and active lifestyle. Bring your family. Bring […]
See the 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2024 NBA G League Franchise of the Year on their home turf! The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Santa Cruz Warriors […]
Calling all families with LITTLES! Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers! Ages 0-5! ✨Ring in the New Year ✨ in style with the toddler-mom dream team, Robin and Brooke! Enjoy a Fancy Dance […]
Ring in the New Year at High Tide with an elevated five-course dinner featuring tamago sando, lobster chawanmushi or local petrale sole, pistachio crusted California squab, or truffle risotto, Australian […]
Get ready to dance the night away as you ring in the New Year with a bang at the Brookdale Lodge - it's gonna be lit! New Year’s Eve at […]
You cannot get more Capitola vibes than you do with this event. Fork & Cork is a beachy bar featuring a wine list with craft beer options, a firepit for […]
Vino by the Sea, upstairs at the Santa Cruz Wharf, is having a New Years Eve party with live music from Spun! Enjoy a night of dancing with Spun, balloon […]
Los Lobos are a groundbreaking American band known for fusing traditional Mexican music with rock, country, folk, R&B, and other vernacular styles. They gained international fame with their cover of […]
Step behind the velvet rope for a Roaring ’20s–inspired celebration. Bruno’s will transform into an upscale speakeasy featuring live music by Fire Peach, craft cocktails, dancing, and a sparkling midnight […]
💥NEW YEARS EVE PARTY 💥 Go ring in the new year overlooking the beautiful Santa Cruz Harbor with a high-energy dance set of live music from Matt Masih & The […]
"Dress To Impress", if you choose, this years theme is 1980's "Miami Vice", Pastel Suave, 80's Neon Glamour. Enjoy an evening of music, hors d’oeuvres, party favors, photobooth and a […]
Ring in the new year at Moe’s Ally with Jive Machine, Floratura and Coffee Zombie Collective! There will be a countdown with a champagne toast, photo booth and more! Throw […]
The China Cats are a Grateful Dead tribute band based in Santa Cruz and are known for their creative jams and ability to capture the spirit of the Dead’s live […]
This New Years Eve step into a realm of surreal projections, intriguing art, dance beats and lasers as you ring in 2026! The celebration will feature DJs, hourly ball drop […]
Dance the night away to live music by The Alex Lucero Band at Chaminade's 21+ New Year's Eve Party. Spend your evening ringing in 2026 while enjoying a champagne toast, […]
The title of internationally acclaimed Jesse Daniel's latest country album refers to the mountains creeks and redwoods of his home here in Santa Cruz County. Join in welcoming the Son […]
Rock ‘n' Roll filled night of originals and covers meets A sonic melting pot of psychedelic rock, folk, blues and more... Local bands New Horizons and Northern Disconnection will be […]
Enjoy a four mile, four hour walk at George's Picnic Area and take Loma Prieta Grade Trail to the Porter House site to the site where the town of Loma […]
Explore the old-growth Redwood grove and learn all about Coast Redwoods and the forest. This 1 mile walk will last about 1.5 hours and is recommended for ages 6 and […]
Interested in observing and comparing old growth and second growth redwood forests? How about walking by the river and learning about what plants grow alongside it? Enjoy a guided stroll […]
California King Tides are coming to the shores of Santa Cruz County this winter! These naturally occurring and predictable events are when the highest and lowest tides hit our shores […]
Go start the New Year by safely exploring king tides at New Brighton State Beach with a guide. Enjoy a lower tide than can ever be seen in summer while […]
Enjoy a mile and a half guided walk from the mixed forest through the sandhills to the Observation deck and back. You will reflect on how the land teaches us […]
Sean and the Skinwalkers is a blues rock trio. Just as comfortable playing traditional blues as they are tearing through a psychedelic rock song, the common thread is always the […]
The 2026 celebration will be at the London Nelson Community Center and feature hundreds of fascinating species from the area, uniquely displayed in a re-created woodland habitat. This unique Santa […]
The legendary Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their 100th Anniversary World Tour to Kaiser Permanente Arena! This one-of-a-kind basketball experience combines jaw-dropping athleticism, hilarious comedy, and unforgettable fan interaction. It’s fun […]
See the 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2024 NBA G League Franchise of the Year on their home turf! All home games with the Santa Cruz Warriors will continue to feature […]
A prolific musician, composer and inventor, Jack West is a singular guitarist with an immediately recognizable sound. He has released six albums, all receiving widespread critical acclaim, and he has […]
The Catalyst is the perfect venue for Mike Herrera's warm and friendly stage presence. Get up close to the stage, or head to the balcony to take in the experience […]
The She Adventures Film Tour returns for its annual celebration of women pushing boundaries in the outdoors, making at the historic Rio Theatre. This unmissable event brings over two hours […]
Revisit all the timeless Eagles hits like Hotel California, Heartache Tonight, Desperado, all performed 100% live! With rave reviews from coast to coast, the concert captures the essence, harmony and […]
Get dressed up in clubbing attire for this 21+ Valentine's Day party! The ballroom will be set up with round tables that seat 10 people. VIP reserved seating is the […]
Composer Jon Scoville was raised in Connecticut, ruined in New York, and... restored in Santa Cruz County. Over 50 of Jon’s scores have been commissioned by choreographers and dance companies […]
See more than 500 quilts throughout three buildings at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds! There will be ongoing demonstrations, a vendor mall, Bargain Garden (fabric flea market), and a Wearable […]
Attention chowder lovers! Taste the best at the 45th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off! Sample chowder from Amateur Chefs on Saturday, followed by Professional Chefs on Sunday. Both days feature Boston […]
45 years ago, their self-titled album got so popular they went platinum, no thanks to mainstream chart success or radio play. In the 80's, everyone had a copy of the […]
Get ready for the 4th annual Alfred Hitchcock Festival! There will be film screenings, food, drinks, and more! The Hitchcock Festival offers a rich tapestry of activities, blending screenings of […]
The Watsonville Film Festival promotes Latin and indigenous cultural traditions with free events for the community throughout the year.
Swap out your flip flops for running shoes and join the fun with this family-friendly race through the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! Run a 1k or a 5k, on this […]
Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza is a family-friendly event filled with arts & crafts, games, food trucks, an egg hunt, and more! Kids aged 3 to 13 years old are invited to […]
Emmylou Harris shook up country radio in the 1970's and established herself as the premiere songwriter of a generation selling more than 15 million records and garnering 14 Grammy Awards, […]
David has been entertaining audiences with his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques. He is the master of satire and one of today's most observant writers addressing the human condition. […]
Enjoy a festive Summer Luau by the beach! Dress in your best Hawaiian attire and enjoy a tropical buffet, live music, hula dancers, and fun for all ages. Perfect for […]
The showstopping Santa Cruz County Fair returns September 16 - 20th for family fun, great entertainment, live shows, animal displays, carnival rides, and more!!!
Come celebrate the vibrant traditions of the Latino community with mariachi, folklorico dancers, and a free beach concert. Enjoy Boardwalk rides and games plus fun food and beverage specials throughout […]
Mark the fall migration at one of the most beautiful places on the planet for the Monterey Bay Festival of Birds featuring field trips, workshops, family-fun activities, and keynote speakers. […]
Go see an exciting musical parade as 55 Northern California high school and junior high school marching bands compete next to the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in the ONLY […]
Bring your appetite and join the fun as both professional and amateur chefs work their culinary magic and compete for the title of Best Chili!
Celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and spooktacular Boardwalk fun! It's always free to enter the Boardwalk, but if you would like to receive a collectible Boardwalk bag with […]
Find that perfect gift from a selection of locally made, hand crafted wares while enjoying one of the scenic stops along the Corralitos Wine Trail. Enjoy a glass of Lester […]
